The Patriots, who are currently carrying 52 players on their roster, need to clear one more roster spot by Saturday to make room for both Tom Brady and defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who are coming off their four-game suspensions.

The Patriots visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Brissett was not at the start of Patriots practice Friday. He started two games while Brady was suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo was sidelined with a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder.

Brissett injured the thumb on his right throwing hand in the third quarter of the team’s 27-0 win over the Houston Texans on Sept. 22 but played through it. He then started the Patriots’ 16-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, earning praise from teammates for his toughness.